DOCTOR'S REZONING FEUD GOES ON

An ongoing feud between a urologist and city planners over the construction of a medical complex in Hollywood Hills is scheduled to resurface today.

Dr. Milton Myers will ask city commissioners to rezone two residential lots across from Memorial Hospital so he can build two buildings for doctors' offices, according to plans submitted to the city.

Growth Management Director Bob Davis said he has opposed Myers' plans since they were submitted last April because the offices, if allowed, would be in a residential neighborhood.

"It would set a bad precedent," Davis said. "If we allow it for Dr. Myers, the other neighbors will ask for the same thing. The integrity of a well- established single-family neighborhood will be shot."

Davis and Myers have disagreed before. The last time, in 1981, Myers successfully sued the city to have three lots across from Memorial rezoned from residential use to allow for office space.

Those three lots are connected to the parcel Myers wants rezoned today.

Combined, the five lots would allow him to build 11,750 square feet of office space, he said. The lots are located at the corner of North 35th Avenue, Johnson Street and Rainbow Drive.

Neighbors have already objected. In letters to Davis, two neighbors said it would detract from the neighborhood if Myers were allowed to rezone the two tracts.

"If the blight of this property rezoning is approved, I will, to avoid discrimination, desire the same privilege of rezoning my nearby residential property," said Dr. O.O. Wiswell.

"We have already gotten indications that if he gets his rezoning, we'll be deluged with similar requests from people all along Rainbow Drive," said Assistant Growth Management Director Chris Cutro. "We are trying to preserve single-family neighborhoods."

"Of the offices around the neighborhood now, only one is empty," Myers said. "There is a need for more office space and the best plan for that area is medical offices."

Myers said he would heavily landscape the project to help reduce any negative effects on a residential area.

Davis said no amount of landscaping could get him to change his mind.

"That property was zoned single-family long before it was purchased by Dr. Myers," Davis said. "The property is bounded by single-family houses and a well-maintained park."